Talked to Smith rep today

[SWID]

at Boise Gun Company and learnded the following:

Smith is making 4000 guns a day, seven days a week. That is over 1,440,000 a year, from one manufacturer. They're going to need a big truck when they come to get them all.

The lock saved the company, and there has NEVER EVER been a lock failure.

It was a fun time and he gave me a nice hat even though I won't buy a gun with a lock. Or MIM parts. Or no firing pin. He didn't even sound encouraging when I sugested, ever so subtly, that they take the series 80 trash out of the 1911s.

There is also, in case anybody's interested, a very nice Registered Mag in the proper box for five grand. And Brian Pearce's Pre 29, S16xxxx range, also in the proper blue presentation case, for $3700.00 or there abouts. It's used and looks it, not bad but for sure not new. I'm not good at the percent thing but I would say 95% if I had to guess. Obvious turn ring, muzzle wear, that sort of stuff.

[HAWKEYE10]

Sounds like you and the S&W Rep. agreed to disagree
and you got a hat. Don

[Iggy]

Been drinkin' his own coolaid, huh?

[HOUSTON RICK]

There are several types of lies in the world, big lies, little lies, statistics and everything that a salesman says

[Andy Griffith]

Originally Posted by SWID

at Boise Gun Company and learnded the following:

Smith is making 4000 guns a day, seven days a week. That is over 1,440,000 a year, from one manufacturer. They're going to need a big truck when they come to get them all.

The lock saved the company, and there has NEVER EVER been a lock failure.

It was a fun time and he gave me a nice hat even though I won't buy a gun with a lock. Or MIM parts. Or no firing pin. He didn't even sound encouraging when I sugested, ever so subtly, that they take the series 80 trash out of the 1911s.

I will ask, how long did you talk with him?
Please know I ask this kindly, but is does kinda sound as though he may have been...well...hassled ever so slightly...or maybe more than slightly. Of course, if he's a salesman, he should have a good comeback so you like him as a person aside from the company he works for.

Sometimes, we can't see the people aside from the company that they work for...or they as individuals haven't learned to make folks see them aside and apart from the company that they work for also. It's difficult when they have that big logo on their shirt though, but it can be done.
Just know these poor fellers are just trying to make a living too, even though they are salesmen, and have no say in what the tater chip, cola, faucet and greeting card folks in charge decide to do.

[m1gunner]

Did you ask him if he was a born lier, or was it something he picked up while working for S&W?

[Andy Griffith]

I did forget to add, that rep should read up on his facts...

They can't make anywhere near 4K guns a month...much less a day!

[oldfella]

Originally Posted by SWID

at Boise Gun Company and learnded the following:

The lock saved the company, and there has NEVER EVER been a lock failure.

That feller sure tells big lies, eh?

Pete

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally Posted by oldfella

That feller sure tells big lies, eh?

Pete

Naa he only told a little white lie. My Mom always said a white lie is OK once in a while. You won't go to hell and God says it's OK. Of coarse I was 6 at the time she told me that....

[SWID]

I was there for a couple of hours, it's a great gun store and you can always find (or start) a great conversation. I don't know how long I actually talked to him but it was off and on the whole time. He was very nice but also I'm not in the habit of going around antagonizing people just for the sake of it. I consider him to be on my side in the grand scheme of things and I don’t want to be starting cracks.

I told him that there were people that would disagree with him on the lock thing, he repeated his claim and I let it go at that. There were other people there and there was a lot of talk about lawyers and such that doesn’t interest me. I really don’t care if locks fail or not, I will never own one. I did put in my personal pet peeve about calling things “classics” that in no way are. He said that they had figured out in forty years how to so some things better, and that somebody somewhere had once broken a firing pin. Well I never have and I won’t own a gun with out one attached to the hammer. (I’m so picky.)

When I was in Phoenix at the NRA show I saw an S &W man get testy over comments about the lock, I had no interest in causing that here. He can’t change anything, the people in Springfield know how we feel, and I have plenty of guns with no lock and will probably acquire a few more. Life goes on.

I’m not going to question the 4000 guns a day. Those CNC machines can turn out that plastic stuff like an M60 puking bullets. It is sure as **** way more than 4000 a month.

[JayCeeNC]

Tell us more about the RM in the proper box for $5000...

[Out West]

Some of you guys think you could run S&W better? You know a great deal about Federal regulation, litigation, finance and marketing? More than the people that have that responsibility to the shareholders today? I suppose its possible.

Out West

[ladder13]

Don't know anything about running a company, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn once.

[SWID]

Originally Posted by JayCeeNC

Tell us more about the RM in the proper box for $5000...

Rather than me try to remember it all why don't you call them and ask for Gary. 208 376 4440

It's in a nice gold box, not new looking but presentable, and the gun is in very good shape. I think they are going to put it on Gunbroker.

[JayCeeNC]

Originally Posted by SWID

Rather than me try to remember it all why don't you call them and ask for Gary. 208 376 4440
It's in a nice gold box...

Sorry, I was just curious as to the details of the gun, if you remembered. Calling someone is not an option for me right now.

[george minze]

I saw a 25?? 4 inch 44 special cal. with a rounded butt grip on it at gun store it had the lock. I didn't buy it due to lock. However I have been shooting revolvers for over 50 years, mostly Smiths. I have had them worked by R. Bergman armorer for MSHP and now retired and instructing police for the NRA so I know a slick but safe action. this 25-? I saw at shop had the slickest double action I have seen including those smoothed out by Roy. I was amazed at how it was so smooth out of box. Damn lock I didn't buy it and have been kicking myself ever since. This revolver was very easy to double stage, and finish was excellent. Maybe a one of the run but it was impressive. What is all this MIM stuff My guess injection molding? but to be truthful I really don't know. I do know Dan Wesson states in their brochure no MIM parts???? Please enlighten me.

[SWID]

Originally Posted by george minze

What is all this MIM stuff My guess injection molding? but to be truthful I really don't know. I do know Dan Wesson states in their brochure no MIM parts???? Please enlighten me.

You are correct, MIM stands for Metal Injection Molding. It is a less expensive way to make small parts. For all I know the parts are just as good as forged but they don't appeal to me. It's not just the looks, the sound and feel of a current Smith is just not what I'm used to. Whether that's a MIM issue or a design one I don't know.

As to running a company, responsibilty and all that, Smith won the only case that went to trial. Colt, U.S. Firearms and others are making Single Action Armys that still have the firing pin resting on the primer of a cartridge that is under the hammer. If they can do that then I have a hard time believing that Smith HAS to have that lock.

If Smith wants to make these "Classics" then they should do it right, they sure would sell a lot of them.

[bimmer*tr]

Originally Posted by ladder13

Don't know anything about running a company, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn once.

HaHaHaHaHaHa!!!

Bimmer

[goldenlight]

Novel idea: make a 'Classic' S&W revolver the SAME WAY the originals were made.

Yes, they would be expensive (well, they ALREADY ARE, and the quality just isn't there) BUT, they would be revolvers that I would be proud to own.

I might only be able to afford one every 5 or 10 years, but it would be WORTH owning.

I won't buy ANY S&W revolver that has a ^&*$#@ lock, or MIM parts.

And, put the damn firing BACK on the hammer, where it belongs.

I'm old enough to have bought and shot MANY NIB pinned and recessed revolvers, and I regret each and every single one I have ever sold.

The new S&W revolvers simply don't meet my standards.

And that lock? Stupidest damn idea S&W EVER had.

[george minze]

Originally Posted by SWID

You are correct, MIM stands for Metal Injection Molding. It is a less expensive way to make small parts. For all I know the parts are just as good as forged but they don't appeal to me. It's not just the looks, the sound and feel of a current Smith is just not what I'm used to. Whether that's a MIM issue or a design one I don't know.

As to running a company, responsibilty and all that, Smith won the only case that went to trial. Colt, U.S. Firearms and others are making Single Action Armys that still have the firing pin resting on the primer of a cartridge that is under the hammer. If they can do that then I have a hard time believing that Smith HAS to have that lock.

If Smith wants to make these "Classics" then they should do it right, they sure would sell a lot of them.

Thanks for the info. I sort of guessed that but didn't know for sure. I sure liked that 4" 25....damn lock!